Former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton made two stops in Syracuse as part of her campaign Friday. She met with local business owners Syracuse's Institute of Technology at Central High School first and then proceeded to a rally at the Regional Market.
At the rally, hundreds of energized fans gathered to show their support. Clinton told the crowd that her eight years as Senator has helped her solve problems and build strong relationships with area businesses.
"I know we can do this," Clinton said. "I know we can create more good jobs because we've done it. I know we can raise incomes because we've done it. And I will guarantee this, if I am so fortunate enough to be your president, I will never forget New York, and I will never forget Central New York."
Clinton also discussed her policies with the local business owners at the forum at Syracuse's ITC High. The forum gave business leaders a chance to share their experiences and concerns.
Laura Miller with Darcomanufacturing said the time is ripe to bring overseas jobs home.
"Those poor people in the mid-level, in purchasing departments, supply chain managers. They're tired of managing the aggravation and the chaos and the stress of the supply chain that's scattered all over the world," Miller said. "They're ready to bring it in. So any initiative that seizes upon this moment is heading in the right direction."
Clinton told business leaders she wants to invest in revitalizing manufacturing businesses like Darco.
"One of the points in my 10 billion 'Make It In America' agenda is to penalize companies that want to ship jobs overseas," Clinton said. "If they ever got any federal, state, local help, of any sort - tax abatements, other kinds of government tax payer investments - they're going to have to pay them all back."
Clinton said the policies would also create partnerships across the country between universities, businesses, local and local, state and federal resources to support manufacturing jobs and businesses.
Clinton also shared her concern with other businesses that jobs available in technical fields are going unfilled.
"We still have a long way to go to provide opportunity, justice and fairness for every American," Clinton said.
Specifically regarding manufacturing jobs, though, Clinton said one of the roots of the problem is people's negative attitude towards this industry specifically.
"They say the biggest problem is that a lot of parents don't encourage their kids to go into advance manufacturing, even though if they get the skills, they could make a really good living at it," Clinton said. "We've got to lift up those jobs. We have to - as you say - make those jobs sexy. We have to somehow convey all of the opportunities that are out there."
The success of the Bernie Sanders campaign makes New York's primary more important and more contested than in past years. Clinton's visit to the region just might be a reflection of that change. Earlier this week supporters for Bernie Sanders held two events, one focusing on policies to address climate change and the other kicking off a bus advertising campaign. The candidate was in New York City at an event Thursday. No word on whether Sanders will make a stop in Central New York before the primary on April 19th primary.